Camp Chopunnish (Long Camp), waiting for snow to melt — John Ordway: May 23, 1806

a deer at a lick near our Camp it Swam the river to the S. Side
two Indians who Stayd with us last night Swam the river with
their horses and ran the deer it took the river and Swam back
again. Serg* pryor then killed it and gave the Indians one half
of it who Swam their horses back after it. Wm bratton having
been so long better than 3 months nearly helpless with a Severe
pain in his back we now undertake Sweeting him nearly in the
manner as the Indians do only cover the hole with blankits having
bows bent over above the hole, we expect this opperation will
help him.1 we continue burning out the canoe &C. about noon
1 Of all the medical treatments given by Lewis and Clark none was more
interesting than Bratton’s. He had been helpless since before the beginning
of the homeward journey from Fort Clatsop. Although he ate heartily and
digested his food well his strength did not return, notwithstanding the amateur
doctors tried on him every remedy their “engenuity” could devise. Now
360 WISCONSIN HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS [May 24
our hunters all came in empty had killed nothing except a fiew
fowls most of our men went to the village we were camped at
Some time past and bought considerable of couse & Shappalell &C.
Some of the natives caught 3 Salmon to day.